Esther ja Gemma

by Katy Gardner

Other authorsTaija Mård (Translator)

Paperback, 2004

Status

Available

Call number

823.914

Genres

All Topics

General Fiction

Fiction

Collections

pd, oc, city

Publication

Helsinki : Loisto : Tammi, 2004.

Description

This is the story of Gemma and me: how I lost her, I suppose. I don't usually tell it to anyone but myself; I save it for the darkest moments. "Losing Gemma," Katy's Gardners debut novel about adventure, losing your best friend, and self-discovery, has been translates into twelve languages and compared to Alex Garland's breakthrough novel, The Beach, among many others. This time, the backpacking heroes are girls. What makes "Losing Gemma"truly unforgettable, is the read itself; it's an impossibly suspenseful novel that's as gripping as it is psychologically rich. Two young women have gone looking for adventure, backpacking through India--but only one returns. The other one believes it's all her fault. And the mystery behind what really happened during their fateful visit to a secluded shrine compels the reader forward to a page-turning conclusion that's shocking, strange, and haunting.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member whitewavedarling

This book was badly written and at times barely believable in regard to the characters' actions and thoughts. As a reader, I felt the characters were immature and frustrating, and so had little to no sympathy for them. The story never really managed to draw me in, and was told rather awkwardly. I

was interested in the subject and looked forward to reading the book, but in the end it seemed rather an amateurish attempt that needed a great deal more time in terms of character, detail, and editing.

Show Less

4 more

LibraryThing member Lenaphoenix

This novel tells the story of two young British women who go to India to backpack around the country. Friends since childhood, they have grown apart over the years and the main character, Esther, is hoping the trip will help reconnect them. On their journey, her friend Gemma befriends an odd woman

named Coral who is part of an obscure religious sect. Suspense builds slowly and deliberately as Esther finds herself in the role of third wheel and the gap between the two lifelong friends widens into a suddenly uncrossable chasm.

Gardener is a good storyteller and draws you deeply into the adventure of these two young women. But it was the ending that got to me the most. It is a stark reminder of how profoundly our lives can be affected by beliefs about reality that, once held up to the light of scrutiny, are not even true.

Show Less

LibraryThing member Izabella

interesting book, though I didn't really like the ending (solution).

LibraryThing member lenoreva

A backpacker thriller with a twist I didn't expect. Not as engaging as "The Beach" or as funny as "Are you experienced?", but good enough to convince me not to go to India until I can afford to do it first class.

LibraryThing member Jadesbooks

I expected this to be better. This is a story about two friends who go to India to experience the world. They meet up with another traveler, a woman who has been backpacking across the world for a few years by the time they meet up. In a wierd way, these three women travel together to a place where

few tourists ever go. And here's where it seems that all is lost. I was not able to identify with any of the women, they were all very self centered and harbored grudges against each other. I'm not sure who was more evil by the end of the book, only that I wish there had been something good to come out of it.

Show Less

Fewer